Green Screens

A green screen is a background in front of which moving objects are filmed. Using a green screen allows you to add separately filmed background to a final image. I always knew that green screens were used in movies, tv shows, music videos, and of course the weather. However, I never considered that teachers could use green screens in the classroom. All it really takes is a device, a good app, and a green background. Now that I know teachers have access to green screen apps, I realize that the possibilities are endless! As an elementary teacher I could use a green screen in any subject area. I would especially use them in History and English/Reading. So many historical movies are inappropriate for the elementary classroom, but allowing the students to familiarize themselves with a historical figure and portray that character in a movie-like setting would help deepen their understanding in so many ways! I would also love to use green screens during English/Reading. When I was in elementary school, we read a story, answered the questions, and took a test at the end of the week. I cannot imagine how much more my classmates and I would’ve enjoyed literature if we had actually gotten to portray the characters. I look forward to using green screen programs in my classroom one day to help my students learn twenty-first century skills. Asking students to portray a story, cover a topic, or even create their own work gives them an opportunity to use all four of the major skills—communication, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. A few green screen apps for iOS devices are Green Screen by Do Ink ($2.99), Veescope Live Green Screen App ($2.99), Green Screen Studio ($4.99). Below is a short tutorial for how to use Green Screen by Do Ink (widely recommended among teacher).